Jeff Nichols: 'I have a whole new life'

Eileen Kottke and Jo Ellyn Libstorff of Petersburg share a laugh with Jeff Nichols, who was this years "Biggest Loser" runner-up, was the keynote speaker at health and fitness fair at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.
Photo by Tom Hawley.

“No one can tell me I didn’t win,” he said. “I have a whole new life and a lot more to look forward to than I did when I weighed 388 pounds.”

The 25-year-old Monroe native was the runner-up during the

14th season of NBC’s reality show “The Biggest Loser,” which concluded March 19.

He served as the keynote speaker Wednesday during a Senior Health and Fitness Fair at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.

Jeff Nichols, who was this years "Biggest Loser" runner-up was the keynote speaker at health and fitness fair at Monroe Center for Healthy Aging.

Now living in Chicago with his girlfriend and show contestant Francelina Morillo, the 2005 graduate of Monroe High School is working to become a certified personal trainer and spinning instructor.

Because of his newfound passion for fitness, Mr. Nichols is traveling the country speaking to people about his journey, eating properly and finding the motivation to accomplish any goal in life.

“Start today,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the change you want to make.

You have to start or you’ll never do it.”

Throughout the speech, Mr. Nichols offered tips about motivation, eating healthy on a budget and making oneself accountable for goals.

“You can eat healthy on a budget,” he said. “If you track your daily spending, I guarantee you will find an extra $25 that you have spent on things you don’t need.”

While shopping at the grocery store, he suggested keeping to the outside aisles and making sure people eat their leftover food.

Working hard and surrounding himself with positive people have helped during his journey and hopes that can help others.

“It doesn’t always get easier, but it does get better,” Mr. Nichols said. “You always need to push yourself. I tried easy for a long time but easy didn’t get me results.”

Mr. Nichols said each person has to find out what works for himself or heself when it comes to goals, whether weight-loss or otherwise.

He talked about working with trainer Bob Harper who repeatedly told him his methods were different when working with Mr. Nichols than they had been with others.

“Find out what works for you,” he said. “Fitness doesn’t have to be a onesize-fits-all approach.”

Celebrating small victories are important.

“If you are saving for a vacation to Europe, celebrate putting that dollar aside,” Mr. Nichols said. “If you lose one pound, celebrate that. Those are big accomplishments because you are taking the first step at reaching your goal.”

During the show, Mr. Nichols lost 181 pounds. He said that since the show aired, his weight has settled around 230 pounds.

“This is where I’m comfortable,” he said.

He continues to exercise regularly with Ms. Morillo, mixing CrossFit and spinning classes.

“I post pictures all the time to hold myself accountable,” Mr. Nichols said before the speech. “Seventy percent of contestants on the show put the weight back on.Idon’twanttobea statistic.”

Mr. Nichols said that while the workouts were real and the weight loss was real, other elements of the show have been edited in a specific way for entertainment.

“I don’t think it’s healthy to lose 29 pounds in a week,” he said. “For many, 1 to 2 pounds a week is fantastic. Others who don’t need to lose as much, a few ounces at a time.”

Laurie Schultz of Monroe watched Mr. Nichols throughout his season on the show.

“I never watched before, but because someone from Monroe was on, I wanted to see how he would do,” she said. “I was impressed with what he accomplished.”

Mrs. Schultz is a member of the 20/20 club at the center whose goal is to lose 20 pounds of weight in 20 weeks, or encourage participants to get 20 minutes of exercise a day. Watching Mr. Nichols and hearing about his journey could help others, Mrs. chultz said.

“I think he is an inspiration,” she said.

While he is happy to inspire others, Mr. Nichols said he is moved by those who tackle the task on their own.

“I’m just a kid from Monroe who was fat on TV and now I’m not fat anymore,” he said. “It’s you who inspire me. The people who write me and say they have had weight loss success at home because of me, they are my inspiration.”

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